The COMPANY THEY KEEP

by Anna Simons

By design, the U.S. Army's Special Forces--we call them Green Berets, but they tend to avoid that term--are very secretive. As a result, there isn't much to counterbalance their popular Ramboesque image. This book does a lot to set the record straight. Simons, a Harvard Ph.D. in anthropology, befriended some SFers while she was doing fieldwork in Somalia. Later, back in the States, she married one of them. The Company They Keep was written once she had the unrivaled access of a Special Forces team-member's wife; it covers more than a year in the life of some SF soldiers, covering every phase of their initiation and training. The reader will feel reassured as the narrative makes it clear that these forces America increasingly relies on in low-intensity scenarios such as Somalia and Haiti emphasize not individual bravado, but smooth functioning as a members of a team; so much so that loyalty to the team tends to take precedence over personal concerns and family. The divorce rate is high.

Genres: Military Fiction, Nonfiction, War, History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Brandon Ames · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over 20 years old and still rings true and familiar. Very insightful with a lot of opportunities for reflection and thought.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A down-to-earth micro and macro examination of the people and structure of the U.S. Army's Special Forces, i.e. the Green Berets. They are much more settled, mature, serious, and cautious people than they are generally portrayed as being in movies and so on. A really interesting look into a world most of us will never approach experiencing.

[Amelia Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Husband is SF, his team leader suggested this to him and he passed it on to me. Incredibly interesting and informative. Some information is outdated but not in any real meaningful way. My only complaint is that, being published in 97' I wish there was an updated or 2nd edition to this book which covered the late 90s-2020s.

[Antipoet · Rating 1 out of 5]

hero worship without substance

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great insight into the pre-911 special forces. We still struggle with the basic preface of the book; should the SF focus on Foreign Internal Defense of Direct Action. Right now I'd say DA is kinda winning. Still a good easy read with out all the macho, bravado BS that is too often laced throughout most books on SF.

[Beth Harper · Rating 2 out of 5]

An anthropologist studies several Special Forces units stationed in Fayetteville, NC, over the course of a year. Very hard to keep track of individuals or groups; the book would've greatly benefitted from a glossary of acronyms at the very least.

[Kimberlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An in depth look at what soldiers go through to become special forces. You go all through training, selection & initiation and beyond. If you like anything in the military genre you'll love this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book, applying anthropology to the U.S. Army Special Forces. The outcome is an enlightening, fascinating page-turner.

[Amanda Jessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! It takes you from deciding to go SF through SFAS, Q course and Robin Sage. There was even a chapter on wives and other women. Very eye opening.